Multi-connector hammer

ABSTRACT

The various embodiments disclosed and pictured illustrate a multi-connector hammer for comminuting various materials. The illustrative embodiments pictured and described herein are primarily for use with a rotatable hammermill assembly. The multi-connector hammer includes a connection portion having a rod hole therein, a contact portion for delivery of energy to the material to be comminuted, and a multi-connector neck portion affixing the connection portion to the contact portion. In other embodiments, a shoulder is positioned around the periphery of the rod hole for added strength. In still other embodiments, a neck reinforcement is positioned along a portion of the neck for increased strength. A weld or plurality of welds may be affixed to various surfaces of the contact portion to aide in comminuting and/or longevity of the multi-connector hammer.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

Applicant states that the present application is a continuation of andclaims priority from U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/270,888 filedon May 6, 2014, which application was a continuation of and claimspriority from U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/566,967 filed on Aug.3, 2012 (now U.S. Pat. No. 8,800,903), which application claimedpriority from provisional U.S.Pat. App. No. 61/514,644 filed on Aug. 3,2011, all of which applications are incorporated by reference herein intheir entireties.

FIELD OF INVENTION

This invention relates generally to a device for comminuting or grindingmaterial. More specifically, the invention is especially useful for useas a hammer in a rotatable hammermill assembly.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

No federal funds were used to develop or create the invention disclosedand described in the patent application.

REFERENCE TO SEQUENCE LISTING, A TABLE, OR A COMPUTER PROGRAM LISTINGCOMPACT DISK APPENDIX

Not Applicable

BACKGROUND

A number of different industries rely on impact grinders or hammermillsto reduce materials to a smaller size. For example, hammermills areoften used to process forestry and agricultural products as well as toprocess minerals, and for recycling materials. Specific examples ofmaterials processed by hammermills include grains, animal food, petfood, food ingredients, mulch and even bark. This invention although notlimited to grains, has been specifically developed for use in the grainindustry. Whole grain corn essentially must be cracked before it can beprocessed further. Dependent upon the process, whole corn may be crackedafter tempering yet before conditioning. A common way to carry outparticle size reduction is to use a hammermill where successive rows ofrotating hammer like devices spinning on a common rotor next to oneanother comminute the grain product. For example, methods for sizereduction as applied to grain and animal products are described inWatson, S. A. & P. E. Ramstad, ed. (1987, Corn: Chemistry andTechnology, Chapter 11, American Association of Cereal Chemist, Inc.,St. Paul, Minn.), the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated byreference in its entirety. The application of the invention as disclosedand herein claimed, however, is not limited to grain products or animalproducts.

Hammermills are generally constructed around a rotating shaft that has aplurality of disks provided thereon. A plurality of free-swinginghammers are typically attached to the periphery of each disk usinghammer rods extending the length of the rotor. With this structure, aportion of the kinetic energy stored in the rotating disks istransferred to the product to be comminuted through the rotatinghammers. The hammers strike the product, driving into a sized screen, inorder to reduce the material. Once the comminuted product is reduced tothe desired size, the material passes out of the housing of thehammermill for subsequent use and further processing. A hammer mill willbreak up grain, pallets, paper products, construction materials, andsmall tree branches. Because the swinging hammers do not use a sharpedge to cut the waste material, the hammer mill is more suited forprocessing products which may contain metal or stone contaminationwherein the product the may be commonly referred to as “dirty”. A hammermill has the advantage that the rotatable hammers will recoil backwardlyif the hammer cannot break the material on impact. One significantproblem with hammer mills is the wear of the hammers over a relativelyshort period of operation in reducing “dirty” products which includematerials such as nails, dirt, sand, metal, and the like. As found inthe prior art, even though a hammermill is designed to better handle theentry of a “dirty” object, the possibility exists for catastrophicfailure of a hammer causing severe damage to the hammermill andrequiring immediate maintenance and repairs.

Hammermills may also be generally referred to as crushers—whichtypically include a steel housing or chamber containing a plurality ofhammers mounted on a rotor and a suitable drive train for rotating therotor. As the rotor turns, the correspondingly rotating hammers comeinto engagement with the material to be comminuted or reduced in size.Hammermills typically use screens formed into and circumscribing aportion of the interior surface of the housing. The size of theparticulate material is controlled by the size of the screen aperturesagainst which the rotating hammers force the material. Exemplaryembodiments of hammermills are disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,904,306;5,842,653; 5,377,919; and 3,627,212.

The four metrics of strength, capacity, run time and the amount of forcedelivered are typically considered by users of hammermill hammers toevaluate any hammer to be installed in a hammermill. A hammer to beinstalled is first evaluated on its strength. Typically, hammermillmachines employing hammers of this type are operated twenty-four hours aday, seven days a week. This punishing environment requires strong andresilient material that will not prematurely or unexpectedlydeteriorate. Next, the hammer is evaluated for capacity, or morespecifically, how the weight of the hammer affects the capacity of thehammermill. The heavier the hammer, the fewer hammers that may be usedin the hammermill by the available horsepower. A lighter hammer thenincreases the number of hammers that may be mounted within thehammermill for the same available horsepower. The more force that can bedelivered by the hammer to the material to be comminuted against thescreen increases effective comminution (i.e. cracking or breaking downof the material) and thus the efficiency of the entire comminutionprocess is increased. In the prior art, the amount of force delivered isevaluated with respect to the weight of the hammer.

Finally, the length of run time for the hammer is also considered. Thelonger the hammer lasts, the longer the machine run time, the largerprofits presented by continuous processing of the material in thehammermill through reduced maintenance costs and lower necessary capitalinputs. The four metrics are interrelated and typically tradeoffs arenecessary to improve performance. For example, to increase the amount offorce delivered, the weight of the hammer could be increased. However,because the weight of the hammer increased, the capacity of the unittypically will be decreased because of horsepower limitations. There isa need to improve upon the design of hammermill hammers available in theprior art for optimization of the four (4) metrics listed above.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

In order that the advantages of the invention will be readilyunderstood, a more particular description of the invention brieflydescribed above will be rendered by reference to specific embodimentsillustrated in the appended drawings. Understanding that these drawingsdepict only typical embodiments of the invention and are not thereforeto be considered limited of its scope, the invention will be describedand explained with additional specificity and detail through the use ofthe accompanying drawings. FIGS. 7B, 8B, 10B, 18B, 21A, 22A, 23A, 24A,and 25A are shown to scale.

FIG. 1 provides a perspective view of the internal configuration of ahammer mill at rest as commonly found in the prior art.

FIG. 2 provides a perspective view of the internal configuration of ahammermill during operation as commonly found in the prior art.

FIG. 3 provides an exploded perspective view of a hammermill as found inthe prior art as shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 provides an enlarged perspective view of the attachment methodsand apparatus as found in the prior art and illustrated in FIG. 3.

FIG. 5 provides a perspective view of a first embodiment of amulti-connector hammer.

FIG. 6A provides top view of the first embodiment of a multi-connectorhammer with illustrative dimensions included therein.

FIG. 6B provides side view of the first embodiment of a multi-connectorhammer with illustrative dimensions included therein.

FIG. 7A provides a top view of two multi-connector hammers according tothe first embodiment thereof positioned vertically with respect to oneanother.

FIG. 7B provides a perspective view of the multi-connector hammers shownin FIG. 7A.

FIG. 7C provides a top view of two multi-connector hammers according tothe first embodiment thereof positioned horizontally with respect to oneanother.

FIG. 7D provides a perspective view of two multi-connector hammersaccording to the first embodiment thereof positioned horizontally withrespect to one another.

FIG. 8A provides a perspective view of a second embodiment of amulti-connector hammer.

FIG. 8B provides a top view of a second embodiment of a multi-connectorhammer.

FIG. 9A provides top view of two multi-connector hammers according tothe second embodiment thereof positioned vertically with respect to oneanother.

FIG. 9B provides a perspective view of the multi-connector hammers shownin FIG. 9A.

FIG. 9C provides a top view of two multi-connector hammers according tothe second embodiment thereof positioned horizontally with respect toone another.

FIG. 9D provides a perspective view of the multi-connector hammers shownin FIG. 9C.

FIG. 10A provides a perspective view of a third embodiment of amulti-connector hammer.

FIG. 10B provides a top view of the third embodiment of amulti-connector hammer with illustrative dimensions included therein.

FIG. 10C provides a side view of the third embodiment of amulti-connector hammer.

FIG. 11 provides a perspective view of a first embodiment of aprotective arm and a fourth embodiment of a multi-connector hammerengaged with a hammer rod.

FIG. 12 provides a detailed view of the embodiment of the protective armand multi-connector hammer shown in FIG. 11.

FIG. 13 provides a detailed view of one side of the first embodiment ofthe protective arm.

FIG. 14 provides a detailed view of the first embodiment of theprotective arm and the attachment thereof to the hammer rod.

FIG. 15 provides a detailed view of another side of the first embodimentof the protective arm.

FIG. 16 provides another detailed view of the first embodiment of theprotective arm and fourth embodiment of a multi-connector hammer.

FIG. 17 provides another detailed view of the first embodiment of theprotective arm and the attachment thereof to the hammer rod.

FIG. 18A provides yet another detailed view of the first embodiment ofthe protective arm and the attachment thereof to the hammer rod.

FIG. 18B provides a perspective view of the first embodiment of theprotective arm.

FIG. 18C provides a top view of the first embodiment of the protectivearm.

FIG. 18D provides a side view of the first embodiment of the protectivearm.

FIG. 19A provides a perspective view of a fifth embodiment of amulti-connector hammer.

FIG. 19B provides a side view of the embodiment of a multi-connectorhammer shown in FIG. 19A.

FIG. 19C provides a top view of the embodiment of a multi-connectorhammer shown in FIG. 19A.

FIG. 20A provides a perspective view of a sixth embodiment of amulti-connector hammer.

FIG. 20B provides a side view of the embodiment of a multi-connectorhammer shown in FIG. 20A.

FIG. 20C provides a top view of the embodiment of a multi-connectorhammer shown in FIG. 20A.

FIG. 21A provides a perspective view of a second embodiment of aprotective arm in relation to a fourth embodiment of a multi-connectorhammer.

FIG. 21B provides a top view of the protective arm and multi-connectorhammer from FIG. 21A.

FIG. 21C provides a side view of the protective arm and multi-connectorhammer from FIG. 21A

FIG. 22A provides perspective view of the embodiment of themulti-connector hammer shown in FIG. 21A.

FIG. 22B provides a top view of a half member of the multi-connectorhammer shown in FIG. 21.

FIG. 22C provides a side view of the multi-connector hammer shown FIG.22A

FIG. 23A provides a perspective view of a second embodiment of aprotective arm.

FIG. 23B provides a top view of the second embodiment of a protectivearm.

FIG. 23C provides a side view of the second embodiment of a protectivearm.

FIG. 24A provides a perspective view of a seventh embodiment of amulti-connector hammer.

FIG. 24B provides a top view of the embodiment of a multi-connectorhammer shown in FIG. 24A.

FIG. 24C provides a side view of the embodiment of a multi-connectorhammer shown in FIG. 24A.

FIG. 25A provides a perspective view of a half member of themulti-connector hammer shown in FIG. 24A.

FIG. 25B provides a top view of the half member shown in FIG. 25A.

FIG. 25C provides a side view of the half member shown in FIG. 25C.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION—LISTING OF ELEMENTS

Element Element # Hammermill assembly  2 Hammermil drive shaft  3 Endplate  4 End plate drive shaft hole  5a End plate hammer rod hole  5bInterior plate  6 Interior plate drive shaft hole  7a Interior platehammer rod hole  7b Hammer rod  8 Spacer  8a Hammer (prior art)  9Hammer body (prior art)  9a Hammer contact edge (prior art)  9b Hammerrod hole (prior art)  9c Multi-connector hammer 10 Seam 12 Half member14 Connection portion 20 Connector 22 Rod hole 24 Connector interstitialarea 26 Neck 30 Neck first end 32 Neck second end 34 Neck interstitialarea 36 Contact portion 40 Contact member 42 Primary contact surface 44Contact interstitial area 46 Protective arm 50 Arm connection portion 52Arm rod hole  52a Arm spacer portion 54 Arm distal end 56

DETAILED DESCRIPTION—ILLUSTRATIVE EMBODIMENTS

Before the various embodiments of the present invention are explained indetail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in itsapplication to the details of construction and the arrangements ofcomponents set forth in the following description or illustrated in thedrawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of beingpracticed or of being carried out in various ways. Also, it is to beunderstood that phraseology and terminology used herein with referenceto device or element orientation (such as, for example, terms like“front”, “back”, “up”, “down”, “top”, “bottom”, and the like) are onlyused to simplify description of the present invention, and do not aloneindicate or imply that the device or element referred to must have aparticular orientation. In addition, terms such as “first”, “second”,and “third” are used herein and in the appended claims for purposes ofdescription and are not intended to indicate or imply relativeimportance or significance. Furthermore, any dimensions recited orcalled out herein are for exemplary purposes only and are not meant tolimit the scope of the invention in any way unless so recited in theclaims.

1. Free-Swinging Hammermill Assemblies

Referring now to the drawings, wherein like reference numerals designateidentical or corresponding parts throughout the several views, FIGS. 1-3show a hammermill assembly 2 as found in the prior art. The hammermillassembly 2 includes two end plates 4 on each end with at least oneinterior plate 6 positioned between the two end plates 4. The end plates4 include an end plate drive shaft hole 5 a and the interior plates 6include an interior plate drive shaft hole 7 a. A hammermill drive shaft3 passes through the end plate drive shaft holes 5 a and the interiorplate drive shaft holes 7 a. The end plates 4 and interior plates 6 areaffixed to the hammermill drive shaft and rotatable therewith.

Each end plate 4 also includes a plurality of end plate hammer rod holes5 b, and each interior plate 6 includes a plurality of interior platehammer rod holes 7 b. A hammer rod 8 passes through corresponding endplate hammer rod holes 5 b and interior plate hammer rod holes 7 b. Aplurality of hammers 9 are pivotally mounted to each hammer rod 8, whichis shown in detail in FIG. 4. The hammers 9 are typically oriented inrows along each hammer rod 8, and each hammer rod 8 is typicallyoriented parallel to one another and to the hammermill drive shaft 3.

Each hammer 9 includes a hammer body 9 a, hammer contact edge 9 b, and ahammer rod hole 9 c passing through the hammer body 9 a, which is shownin detail in FIG. 4. Each hammer rod 8 passes through the hammer rodhole 9 c of at least one hammer 9. Accordingly, the hammers 9 pivot withrespect to the hammer rod 8 to which they are attached about the centerof the hammer rod hole 9 c. A spacer 8 a may be positioned around thehammer rod 8 and between adjacent hammers 9 or adjacent hammers 9 andplates 4,6 to better align the hammers 9 and/or plates 4, 6, which isbest shown in FIGS. 3-4. As is well known to those of skill in the art,a lock collar (not shown) would typically be placed on the end of thehammer rod 8 to compress and hold the spacers 8 a and the hammers 9 inalignment. All these parts require careful and precise alignmentrelative to one another. This type of hammer 9, which is shown affixedto the hammermill assembly 2 shown in FIGS. 1-3 and separately in FIG.4, is commonly referred to as free-swinging hammers 9. Free-swinginghammers 9 are hammers 9 that are pivotally mounted to the hammermillassembly 9 in a manner as described above and are oriented outwardlyfrom the center of the hammermill assembly 2 by centrifugal force as thehammermill assembly 2 rotates.

The hammermill assembly 2 and various elements thereof rotate about thelongitudinal axis of the hammermill drive shaft 3. As the hammermillassembly 2 rotates, centrifugal force causes the hammers 9 to rotateabout the hammer rod 8 to which each hammer 9 is mounted. The hammermillassembly 2 is shown at rest in FIG. 1 and in a dynamic state in FIG. 2,as in operation. Free-swinging hammers 9 are often used instead ofrigidly connected hammers in case tramped metal, foreign objects, orother non-crushable material enters the housing with the particulatematerial to be reduced, such as grain.

For effective comminution in hammermill assemblies 2 using free-swinginghammers 9, the rotational speed of the hammermill assembly 2 mustproduce sufficient centrifugal force to hold the hammers 9 as close tothe fully extended position as possible when material is beingcommunited. Depending on the type of material being processed, theminimum hammer tip speeds of the hammers are usually 5,000 to 11,000feet per minute (“FPM”). In comparison, the maximum speeds depend onshaft and bearing design, but usually do not exceed 30,000 FPM. Inspecial high-speed applications, the hammermill assemblies 2 may beconfigured to operate up to 60,000 FPM.

In the case of disassembly for the purposes of repair and replacement ofworn or damaged parts, the wear and tear causes considerable difficultyin realigning and reassembling the various elements of the hammermillassembly 2. Moreover, the elements of the hammermill assembly 2 aretypically keyed to one another, or at least to the hammermill driveshaft 3, which further complicates the assembly and disassembly process.For example, the replacement of a single hammer 9 may requiredisassembly of the entire hammermill assembly 2. Given the frequency atwhich wear parts require replacement, replacement and repairs constitutean extremely difficult and time consuming task that considerably reducesthe operating time of the size reducing machine. Removing a singledamaged hammer 9 may take in excess of five (5) hours due to both thehammermill assembly 2 design and the realignment difficulties related tothe problems caused by impact of debris with the non-impact surfaces ofthe hammermill assembly 2.

Another problem found in the prior art hammermill assemblies 2 shown inFIGS. 1-3 is exposure of a great deal of the surface area of thehammermill assembly 2 elements to debris. The end plates 4 and interiorplates 6, spacers 8 a, and hammers 9 are all subjected to considerablecontact with the debris and material within the hammermill assembly 2.This not only creates excessive wear, but contributes to realignmentdifficulties by bending and damaging of the various elements of thehammermill assembly 2, which may be caused by residual impact. Thus,after a period of operation, prior art hammermill assemblies 2 becomeeven more difficult to disassemble and reassemble. The problems relatedto comminution service and maintenance of hammermill assemblies 2provides abundant incentive for improvement of hammers 9 to lengthenoperational run times.

2. Illustrative Embodiments of a Multi-Connector Hammer

Referring now to the drawings, wherein like reference numerals designateidentical or corresponding parts throughout the several views, FIG. 5provides a perspective view of a first embodiment of a multi-connectorhammer 10, and FIGS. 6A and 6B provide top and side views thereof,respectively.

As shown herein, the multi-connector hammer 10 generally includes aconnection portion 20 and contact portion 40 connected to one another bya neck 30. The embodiment shown in FIGS. 5-7D includes at least twonecks 30, whereas the embodiments shown in FIGS. 8A-10C include at leastone neck 30. In both embodiments a neck first end 32 may be affixed tothe connection portion 20, and a neck second end 34 may be connected tothe contact portion 40. The embodiment shown in FIGS. 5-7D may alsoinclude a neck interstitial area 36 positioned between the two necks 30.

The connection portion 20 generally may be configured for attachment toa hammer rod 8 and may include at least two connectors 22. A rod hole 24may be fashioned in each connector 22 through which the hammer rod 8 maypass. A connector interstitial area 26 may be positioned betweenadjacent connectors 22. Among other advantages, including but notlimited to increased turbulence within the hammermill assembly 2 incertain applications, spacing connectors 22 apart from one anotherdispenses with the need for spacers 8 a, as required by the prior art.

The contact portion 40 generally may be configured for contact with amaterial to be comminuted within the hammermill assembly 2 and includesat least one contact member 42. The embodiment in FIGS. 5-7D may includefour contact members 4, wherein a contact interstitial area 46 may bepositioned between adjacent contact members 42. At the distal end ofeach contact member 42 may be a primary contact surface 44, which mayhave a hardened edge. The hardened edge may be applied via heattreating, welding, infusion, or any other method known or unknownwithout limiting the scope of the multi-connector hammer 10.Additionally, the primary contact surface 44 may be composed of anysuitable material, known or unknown.

As shown in FIG. 6A, the necks 30 in the first embodiment of themulti-connector hammer 10 may be asymmetrical with respect to theconnection portion 20 and/or contact portion 40. Furthermore, as shownin FIG. 8B, the neck 30 in the second embodiment of the multi-connectorhammer 10 also may be asymmetrical with respect to the connectionportion 20 and/or contact portion 40. The optimalconfiguration/orientation of the neck(s) 30 with respect to theconnection portion 20 and/or contact portion 40 may vary depending on atleast the material to be comminuted. Certain configurations/orientationsmay allow for more or less turbulence within the hammermill assembly 2.Additionally, asymmetrical configurations such as those shown in FIGS.5-9D allow for offsetting the necks 30 of adjacent multi-connectorhammers 10 as best shown in FIGS. 7A & 9A.

A third embodiment of a multi-connector hammer 10 is shown in FIGS.19A-19C. As best shown in FIGS. 19A & 19C, this embodiment includesthree connectors 22 and three contact members 42. It is contemplatedthat this embodiment of the multi-connector hammer 10 will be relativelyeasy and inexpensive to manufacture. As clearly shown in FIGS. 19A and19C, each connector 22 and corresponding contact member 42 and neck 32may be formed as a unitary piece, wherein three unitary pieces areaffixed to one another to produce the multi-connector hammer 10 shown inFIGS. 19A-19C. A seam 12 may be positioned between the unitary pieces.Each unitary piece may be stamped from a sheet of material and thenjoined together at a seam 12. The rod hole 24 in each connector 22 maybe heat treated for hardness. As with the previous embodiments, thethird embodiment dispenses with the need for spacers 8 a in mostapplications.

A fourth embodiment of a multi-connector hammer 10 is shown in FIGS.20A-20C. The fourth embodiment includes two connectors 22 and twocontact members 42. As a corollary to the third embodiment, it iscontemplated that each connector 22 and corresponding contact member 42and neck may be formed as a unitary piece, wherein two unitary piecesare affixed to one another to produce the fourth embodiment of themulti-connector hammer 10. A seam 12 may be positioned between theunitary pieces. Each unitary piece may be stamped from a sheet ofmaterial and then joined together at a seam 12. The rod hole 24 in eachconnector 22 may be heat treated for hardness. As with the previousembodiments, the fourth embodiment dispenses with the need for spacers 8a in most applications.

Both the third and fourth embodiments of the multi-connector hammer 10may be formed from unitary pieces having different thicknesses. Forexample, the material may be ¼ inches thick for one application and ⅜inches thick for another. Typically, the narrower the thickness of thematerial used in the multi-connector hammer 10, the finer the grind ofthe material. Accordingly, the optimal thickness of each unitary piecewill vary from one application of the multi-connector hammer 10 to thenext, and is in no way limited to the scope thereof.

3. Illustrative Embodiment of a Protective Arm

FIGS. 11-18 show various view of an illustrative embodiment of aprotective arm 50, which may be used with various different hammermillassemblies 2. It is contemplated that the illustrative embodiment of theprotective arm 50 will be especially useful in rotating hammermillassemblies 2, but it may be used in other applications as well.Furthermore, different embodiments of the protective arm 50 may be usedwith equipment other than rotating hammermill assemblies 2.

As shown, the protective arm 50 may be engaged with a hammer rod 8 viaan arm rod hole 52 a, which may be positioned in an arm connectionportion 52. The arm connection portion 52 is formed as a loop in theembodiment of the protective arm 50 shown herein, but may be differentlyconfigured in other embodiments. An arm spacer portion 54 may beconnected to an integrally formed with the arm connection portion 52.The protective arm 50 may terminate at an arm distal end 56.

As best shown in FIG. 14, the protective arm 50 may be pivotally mountedto a hammer rod 8 on which a multi-connector hammer 10 is also mounted.The arm connection portion 52 may be positioned on the hammer rod 8between two connectors 22 of the multi-connector hammer 10.

The dimensions of the arm connection portion 52, arm spacer portion 54,and arm distal end 56 may be chosen such that the protective arm 50prevents one surface of the multi-connector hammer 10 from contactingthe adjacent hammer rod 8, as best shown in FIG. 11. Accordingly, if themulti-connector hammer 10 contacts an object during operation thatcauses the multi-connector hammer 10 to recoil, the protective arm 50prevents damage to the trailing edge of the multi-connector hammer 10 byshielding it from direct contact with the hammer rod 8.

The arm spacer portion 54 and arm distal end 56 may be offset from thearm rod hole 52 a, as best shown in FIG. 15. This allows themulti-connector hammer 10 to function normally under typical conditions.Furthermore, this allows the multi-connector hammer 10 to recoil almostas far when used in conjunction with the protective arm 50 as when not,which is best shown in FIG. 11. Furthermore, this configuration of theprotective arm 50 allows the protective arm 50 to be situatedimmediately adjacent the multi-connector hammer 10 during normaloperation of the hammermill assembly 2, as best shown in FIG. 12.However, in other embodiments of the protective arm 50, the arm spacerportion 54 and arm distal end 56 may be oriented differently withrespect to the arm connection portion 52.

A second embodiment of a protective arm 50 that may be used with ahammermill assembly 2 is shown adjacent a multi-connector hammer 10 inFIG. 21 and alone in FIG. 23. The second embodiment of the protectivearm 50 includes two arm connection portions 52 at either end thereof,wherein each arm connection portion 52 is formed with an arm rod hole 52a therein. An arm spacer portion 54 is positioned between the two armconnection portions 52. Adjacent hammer rods 8 in a hammermill assembly2 may be positioned in the two arm rod holes 52 a of the secondembodiment of the protective arm 52. Accordingly, it is estimated thatthe second embodiment of the protective arm 50 will require lessmaterial and/or horsepower than the first embodiment thereof.

During use, the multi-connector hammer 10 engaged with the hammer rod 8adjacent a first arm connection portion 52 (as shown in FIG. 21) maypivot counterclockwise as shown in FIG. 21 when the multi-connectorhammer 10 encounters an obstruction of sufficient magnitude. The neck 30of the multi-connector hammer 10 may then contact the protective arm 50at the arm spacer portion 54, which prevents damage to the non-leadingedge of the contact portion 40.

The materials used to construct the connection portion 20, neck 30, andcontact portion 40 will vary depending on the specific application forthe multi-connector hammer 10. Certain applications will require a hightensile strength material, such as steel, while others may requiredifferent materials, such as carbide-containing alloys. Accordingly, theabove-referenced elements may be constructed of any material known tothose skilled in the art, which material is appropriate for the specificapplication of the multi-connector hammer 10, without departing from thespirit and scope of the multi-connector hammer 10 as disclosed andclaimed herein.

Other methods of using the multi-connector hammer 10 and embodimentsthereof will become apparent to those skilled in the art in light of thepresent disclosure. Accordingly, the methods and embodiments picturedand described herein are for illustrative purposes only. Themulti-connector hammer 10 also may be used in other manners, andtherefore the specific hammermill assembly 2 in which themulti-connector hammer 10 is used in no way limits the scope of themulti-connector hammer 10.

It should be noted that the multi-connector hammer 10 is not limited tothe specific embodiments pictured and described herein, but is intendedto apply to all similar multi-connector hammers 10. Modifications andalterations from the described embodiments will occur to those skilledin the art without departure from the spirit and scope of themulti-connector hammer 10.

The materials used to construct the arm connection portion 52, armspacer portion 54, and arm distal end 56 will vary depending on thespecific application for the protective arm 50. Certain applicationswill require a high tensile strength material, such as steel, whileothers may require different materials, such as carbide-containingalloys. Accordingly, the above-referenced elements may be constructed ofany material known to those skilled in the art, which material isappropriate for the specific application of the protective arm 50,without departing from the spirit and scope of the protective arm 50 asdisclosed and claimed herein.

Other methods of using the protective arm 50 and embodiments thereofwill become apparent to those skilled in the art in light of the presentdisclosure. Accordingly, the methods and embodiments pictured anddescribed herein are for illustrative purposes only. The protective arm50 also may be used in other manners, and therefore the specifichammermill assembly 2 in which the protective arm 50 is used in no waylimits the scope of the protective arm 50.

It should be noted that the protective arm 50 is not limited to thespecific embodiments pictured and described herein, but is intended toapply to all similar protective arms 10 designed to extend the workinglife of a hammer. Modifications and alterations from the describedembodiments will occur to those skilled in the art without departurefrom the spirit and scope of the protective arm 50.

1. A multi-connector hammer for use in a rotatable hammermill assemblycomprising: a. a connection portion, wherein said connection portionincludes a first connector and a second connector; b. a first rod holepositioned in said first connector; c. a second rod hole positioned insaid second connector; d. a neck having a first and second end, saidneck first end connected to said first and second connectors; and, e. acontact portion connected to said neck second end.
 2. Themulti-connector hammer according to claim 1 wherein said contact portionis further defined as comprising a plurality of contact membersextending from said contact portion, wherein each contact memberincludes a primary contact surface.
 3. The multi-connector hammeraccording to claim 2 wherein said multi-hammer further comprises atleast one weld positioned on each said primary contact surface.
 4. Themulti-connector hammer according to claim 3 wherein said multi-connectorhammer further comprises a shoulder positioned around said first rodhole.
 5. The multi-connector hammer according to claim 5 wherein saidmulti-connector hammer further comprises a neck reinforcement positionedalong a portion of said neck.
 6. A hammermill assembly comprising: a. ahammermill drive shaft; b. an end plate, wherein said hammermill driveshaft is secured to said end plate; c. an interior plate, wherein saidhammermill drive shaft is secured to said interior plate, and whereinsaid interior plate is axially spaced from said end plate; d. a hammerrod, wherein said hammer rod is simultaneously affixed to both said endplate and said interior plate; e. a multi-connector hammer pivotallyengaged with said hammer rod, wherein said multi-connector hammercomprises: i. a connection portion, wherein said connection portionincludes a first connector and a second connector; ii. a first rod holepositioned in said first connector; iii. a second rod hole positioned insaid second connector; iv. a first neck having a first and second end,said first neck first end connected to said first and second connectors;v. a second neck having a first and second end, said second neck firstend connected to said first and second connectors; and vi. a contactportion connected to said first and second necks second ends; f. aprotective arm pivotally engaged with said hammer rod, said protectivearm comprising: i. an arm connection portion having an arm rod holeformed therein; ii. an arm spacer portion connected to said armconnection portion; and iii. an arm distal end connected to said armspacer portion.
 7. A method comprising: a. engaging a multi-connectorhammer with a hammer rod, wherein said multi-connector hammer comprises:i. a connection portion, wherein said connection portion includes afirst connector and a second connector; ii. a first rod hole positionedin said first connector; iii. a second rod hole positioned in saidsecond connector; iv. a neck having a first and second end, said neckfirst end connected to said first and second connectors; v. a contactportion connected to said neck second end; b. engaging a secondmulti-connector hammer with a second hammer rod, wherein said secondmulti-connector hammer comprises: i. a connection portion, wherein saidconnection portion includes a first connector and a second connector;ii. a first rod hole positioned in said first connector; iii. a secondrod hole positioned in said second connector; iv. a neck having a firstand second end, said neck first end connected to said first and secondconnectors; v. a contact portion connected to said neck second end; and,c. offsetting, along an axial length of said hammer rod and said secondhammer rod, said neck of said first multi-connector hammer with respectto said neck of said second multi-connector hammer.
 8. The methodaccording to claim 7 further comprising offsetting, along an axiallength of said hammer rod and said second hammer rod, said contactportion of said first multi-connector hammer with respect to saidcontact portion of said second multi-connector hammer.
 9. The methodaccording to claim 7 wherein said first multi-connector hammer furthercomprises a second contact portion connected to said neck second end.10. The method according to claim 9 wherein said second multi-connectorhammer further comprises a second contact portion connected to said necksecond end.
 11. The method according to claim 10 wherein said first andsecond connectors of said first multi-connector hammer are separated bya width in a dimension parallel to an axial length of said hammer rod.12. The method according to claim 11 wherein said first and secondconnectors of said second multi-connector hammer are separated by saidwidth.
 13. The method according to claim 12 wherein said contact portionand said second contact portion of said first multi-connector hammer areseparated by a second width in said dimension parallel to an axiallength of said hammer rod.
 14. The method according to claim 13 whereinsaid second width is further defined as being less than said width. 15.The method according to claim 13 wherein said contact portion and saidsecond contact portion of said second multi-connector hammer areseparated by said second width.
 16. The method according to claim 15wherein said neck second end of said first multi-connector hammer isfurther defined as being centered between said contact portion and saidsecond contact portion.
 17. The method according to claim 16 whereinsaid neck second end of said second multi-connector hammer is furtherdefined as being centered between said contact portion and said secondcontact portion.
 18. The method according to claim 17 wherein said neckfirst end of said first multi-connector hammer is further defined asbeing positioned further from said first connector than from said secondconnector in said dimension.
 19. The method according to claim 18wherein said neck first end of said second multi-connector hammer isfurther defined as being positioned further from said second connectorthan from said first connector in said dimension.